Mobile refuse compacting apparatus

ABSTRACT

A mobile apparatus for compacting refuse disposed in a separate receptacle of the type having an opened top portion through which refuse is normally deposited. One example of the invention is in the form of a self-propelled vehicle having an upright ram positioning mechanism which includes a plurality of members pivotally connected in an end-to-end fashion; each member having a hydraulically actuated cylinder for selectively pivoting the members relative to one another. The top member of the ram positioning mechanism supports a piston actuated ram which is adapted to be positioned above the opened top portion of the receptacle at selected spaced positions. The ram is actuated in an up and down fashion to compact the refuse therebeneath at each spaced position. A second example of the invention is in the form of a ram positioning mechanism adapted to be carried at the front end of a conventional vehicle, such as a truck. The ram positioning mechanism includes a hydraulically actuated piston which selectively moves a ram in an up and down fashion to compact the refuse contained within the receptacle. The ram is moved to spaced positions across the receptacle opening by positioning the ram carrying vehicle at selected distances from the front wall of the receptacle. Each example of the present invention includes means for engaging the opposite sidewalls of the receptacle in such a manner that the downwardly directed force of the ram against the refuse carried within the receptacle is transmitted directly through the bottom of the receptacle to the ground on which the receptacle is supported.

United States Patent Mettetal, Jr.

[151 3,691,967 [451 Sept. 19, 1972 1 MOBILE REFUSE COMPACTING APPARATUS [72] Inventor: Donald Mettetal, Jr., 19301 Shiawassee, Detroit, Mich. 48219 [22] Filed: June25, 1970 [21] Appl.No.: 49,635

[52] US. Cl. ..100/100, 100/73, 100/226, 100/269 R [51] Int. Cl. ..B30b 15/00 [58] Field of Search ..100/73, 100, 226, 277, 295, 100/229, 229 A, 69, 269 R [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,439,725 4/1948 Frost ..100/226 2,747,500 5/1956 Weatherly ..l00/69 X 3,478,909 11/1969 Charles ..100/226 X 3,557,683 l/197l Boyd ..100/100 X 2,782,710 2/1957 Fishburne ..l00/100 505,881 10/1893 Kester ..100/226 3,438,321 4/1969 Gladwin ..l00/226 X 3,455,234 7/1969 Foulke ..100/233 X 3,242,851 3/1966 Brawley et al. ..100/100 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 160,066 12/1954 Australia ..100/100 Primary Examiner-Billy J. Wilhite Attorney-Hauke, Gifford and Patalidis ABSTRACT A mobile apparatus for compacting refuse disposed in a separate receptacle of the type having an opened top portion through which refuse is normally deposited. One example of the invention is in the form of a selfpropelled vehicle having an upright ram positioning mechanism which includes a plurality of members pivotally connected in an end-to-end fashion; each member having a hydraulically actuated cylinder for selectively pivoting the members relative to one another. The top member of the ram positioning mechanism supports a piston actuated ram which is adapted to be positioned above the opened top portion of the receptacle at selected spaced positions. The ram is actuated in an up and down fashion to compact the refuse therebeneath at each spaced position.

Each example of the present invention includes means for engaging the opposite sidewalls of the receptacle in such a manner that the downwardly directed force of the ram against the refuse carried within the receptacle is transmitted directly through the bottom of the receptacle to the ground on which the receptacle is supported.

7 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures ..qi 2 222 l P PATENTED 3.691.967

sum 1 or 3 INVENTOR DONALD METTETALJR BY M&, i' ELM ATTORNEYS PATENTED EP I912 3.691.967

sum 3 or 3 INVENTOR DONALD METTETALJR.

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ATTORNEYS MOBILE REFUSE COMPACTING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a mobile refuse compacting apparatus and, more particularly, to an apparatus for compacting refuse contained in a receptacle which is separate from the compacting apparatus.

2. Description of the Prior Art l-Ieretofore, mobile refuse receptacles have been provided with means for compacting or compressing the refuse loaded therein. Such mobile receptacles having a compacting apparatus as part of their structure are commonly used today, and particularly are used in many large municipalities.

With the advent of large apartment and office building complexes, a receptacle has been provided consisting of a metallic container having a rectangular shape and a height of approximately 4 to 6 feet with an opening at the top portion for the reception of refuse and v the like. Normally, such receptacles are provided at central locations within the the complex and refuse is deposited therein. At selected periods during the week, say once a day, a conventional refuse disposal truck having suitable apparatus for engaging flanges, disposed on the opposite sidewalls of the receptacle, raise the receptacle and transfer the refuse contained therein into a refuse disposal truck for removal. Since the refuse is normally in an uncompacted form and very loosely disposed in such receptacles, it is necessaryfor these receptacles to be unloaded frequently, thus representing a substantial cost to the owner of such complexes. For example, a large apartment complex having 30 or 40 apartments may very likely have 20 to 30 receptacles disposed throughout the complex at convenient locations. If the receptacles are filled every day, it will be necessary to unload such receptacles after the same time interval. In order to alleviate the unloading of such receptacles after such short time intervals, it would be necessary for the owners of such complexes to provide either more receptacles, which may prove unsightly in a residential complex, or to provide each receptacle with an individual compactor incorporated therein such that the refuse contained in each receptacle can be compacted to extend the time between unloadings. A major problem with providing a receptacle having a compactor is the substantial expense involved, as such combined receptacle and compactors represent a cost which is several times the cost .of the receptacle alone.

It would therefore be desirable to provide a mobile refuse compacting vehicle for compacting refuse contained in each of the separately located receptacles within such complexes or the like which will extend the time interval between the unloading of such receptacles, but which would not require an increase in number of such receptacles or require having an individual compactor for each receptacle.

. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention which will be described subsequently in greater detail comprises a mobile refuse compacting apparatus having a ram which is adapted to be positioned over a top opening of a separate refuse holding receptacle. Means are provided for reciprocating the ram at spaced intervals across the opening of the receptacle to compact the refuse contained therewithin.

Inone example of the invention, the refuse compacting apparatus takes the form of a self-propelled vehicle having a hydraulic system for both propelling the vehicle and actuating the mechanism for selectively controlling the ram in order to compact the refuse. A second example provides a ram positioning mechanism adapted to be attached to a conventional vehicle, such as a truck or the like, and includes hydraulic means for positioning the ram above the top opening of the receptacle to perform the compacting operation.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a mobile compacting apparatus for compacting refuse disposed in a plurality of separate receptacles.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a mobile refuse compacting apparatus which is selfpropelled.

Other objects, advantages, and applications of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art of such refuse compacting apparatus when the accompanying description of some examples of the best modes contemplated for practicing the invention are read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of another example I of a mobile refuse compacting apparatus, showing the apparatus mounted to the frond end of a conventional truck;

FIG. 4 is a top elevational view, at a smaller scale, of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 3 removed from the truck;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the compacting apparatus illustrated in FIG. 4 with the apparatus shown in full lines in an extended position, and with the apparatus shown in phantom linesin a retracted position; and

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 5 of the compacting apparatus with an additional feature of the invention shown in an operative state.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings and more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 wherein there is illustrated one example of the present invention in the form of a self-propelled vehicle 10 which comprises a frame 12 mounted on a pair of front wheels 14 and 16, and a rear wheel 18. The rear wheel 18 is carried by a downwardly extending flange section 20 which forms a part of a steering mechanism 22 which in turn is actuated by a hydraulic cylinder 24 so as to steer the vehicle 10 in any desired direction. A suitable driving means, such as a hydraulic motor (not shown) is coupled to the rear wheel 18 to provide the motive force for propelling the vehicle 10.

The hydraulic motor and the hydraulic cylinder 24 are powered byany suitable motor and pump means (not shown), which are enclosed in the housings 26. Suitable valving means are provided at 29 (FIG. 2) to permit the operator of the vehicle to steer the same and operate other hydraulic cylinders as will be described in greater detail hereinafter.

The front wheels 14 and 16 are mounted to a support shaft 28 by suspension arms 30 and 32; respectively. The suspension arms 30 and 32 are respectively connected to the frame 12 by brackets 34 and 36. The shaft 28 is rotated about its longitudinal axis to selectively raise and lower the front wheels 14 and 16 with respectto the frame 12 by a hydraulically-actuated cylinder 38, one end of which is connected to the shaft 28 by a pivot arm 40 (FIG. 1) while the other end of cylinder 38 is connected to the lower portion of a pair of inclined support members42 mounted on the frame 12. The purpose for raising and lowering the front wheels 14 and 16 with respect to the frame 12 will be described in greater detail hereinafter. V The upper ends of the inclined support members 42 are joined to a transverse inverted V-shaped support member 44 by any suitable means, such as by welding. A pair of upright brackets 45 are respectively carried on the outer sides of the inclined support members 42 to pivotally support a refuse compacting apparatus 46 by means of a connecting pin 48. The apparatus 46 is adapted for rotational movement about the horizontal axis of the connecting pin 48. i

The refuse compacting apparatus 46 comprises a lower positioning member 50, an L-shaped mast member 52, a boom member 54, and a ram carrying member 56. j

The lower positioning member 50,'which is mounted to the support brackets 45, is rotated about the horizontal axis of the connecting pin 48 by a hydraulically actuated cylinder 58, the cylinder end of which is pivotally secured to the lower end portions of the inclined'members 42, while the rod end of the cylinder 58 is pivotally secured to a flange 60 carried at the upper end of the lower positioning member 50. The lower positioning member 50 is pivotally connected to a lower leg of the L-shaped mast member 52 by flanges 62 and 64 by connecting pin 66. Rotational movement is imparted to the mast member 52 by a hydraulically actuated cylinder 68, the cylinder end of which is pivotally carried by the lower positioning member 50 at flange 70, while the rod end of the cylinder 68 is pivotally carried by the lower leg of the mast member 52 at flange 72. The opposite sides of the boom member 54 have a pair of downwardly extending flanges 74 welded or otherwise attached at the mid-section of the boom member 54. The flanges 74 are pivotally attached to the upper leg of the mast member 52 by a connecting pin 76. A hydraulically actuated cylinder 78 has its rod end connected to the rear portion of the boom member 54 by a flange 80 and a connecting pin 82,- while the cylinder end of the cylinder 78 is pivotally connected at the juncture of the mast member legs by a flange 84 and a connecting pin 86. Rotational motion is imparted to the boom member 54 about the horizontal axis defined by connecting pin 76 by selectively pressuring the cylinder 78. The ram carrying member 56 is pivotally supported at the front end of the boom member 54 by a pair of flanges 88 and a connecting pin 90..Rotational motion is imparted to the ram carrying member 56 about the axis of the pin 90 by a hydraulically actuated cylinder 98, the rod and cylinder ends of which are respectively pivotally carried by a connecting pin 94 on a flange 96 at the midsection of the boom member 54 and by a connecting pin 99 on a flange 100 extending rearwardly from the ram carrying member 56.

The ram carrying member 56 comprises a tubular casing 102 in which the cylinder portion of a hydraulically actuated cylinder 104 is pivotally mounted to an upper internal flange 106 by means of a'connectin'g pin 108. A piston rod 110 extends-from the lower portion of the cylinder 104 and pivotally carries a ram 112.

As will be seen hereinafter, the refuse compacting apparatus ,46 is adapted to position the ram 1 12 at successive spaced intervals along the opened top portion 113 of a receptacle 114, while the hydraulically actuated cylinder 104 is adapted to selectively raise and lower the ram 112 at eachspaced interval to compact the refuse contained within the container. The receptacle 114 is a conventional metal receptacle in which refuse and the like is placed through the opened top portion 113.

The frame 12 is provided with a pair of projecting fork members 116 and 118 which extend forwardly from the support 44 and are spaced apart a distance sufficient to permit each of the fork members 116 and 118 to be received in each of a pair of side pockets 120 disposed on the opposite sidewalls of the receptacle 114. The receptacle side pockets 120 are normally engaged by a pair of fork members provided on a conventional refuse disposal truck which is adapted to raise the receptacle 114 and unload the refuse contained therein into the disposal trucks.

In operation, the vehicle 10 is positioned in front of the receptacle 114 such that the frame fork members 1 l6 and 1 18 are received by the side pockets as illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings. After the fork members 116 and 118 are engaged with the receptacle side pockets 120, the cylinder 38 is actuated to rotate the supporting shaft 28 in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 1, to lower the forks 116 and 1 18 a sufficient distance to permit the front wheels 14 and 16 to be lifted off the ground during the ramming operation, in the course of which the ram 112 is positioned over the opened top portion 113 of the receptacle 114 by selectively providing fluid to the cylinders 58, 68, 78 and 98 and individually maneuvering the several members of the refuse compacting apparatus 46.

A pair of downwardly projecting spray nozzles 128 and 129 are fixedly carried by the cylinder 104 at 130. The spray nozzles 128 and 129 are adapted to spray a disinfectant or the like into the receptacle 114 when the ram 112 is in an elevated or raise position with respect to the receptacles opened portion 113. The spray nozzles 128 and 129 pass through the refuse impacting face 132 of the ram 112 when the ram is in an elevated position. Since the nozzles are fixedly attached to the cylinder 104, the nozzles separate from the ram 112 when the ram 112 is lowered to compact the refuse within the receptacle 114. The spray nozzles are connected to a source of disinfectant (not shown) carried by the vehicle 10 through a suitable means such as conduits 134.

After the ram carrying member '56 has been positioned over the opened top portion 113 proximate the rear of the receptacle 114 as illustrated in FIG. 1, the cylinder 104 is pressurized to extend the ram 112 downwardly into engagement with the refuse contained within the receptacle 114. As the ram-1'12 is stroked to engage the refuse, the forks 116-and 118 at the front end of the frame 12 will be raised to engage the top portion of the side pockets 120, effecting a C-clamping action'on the receptacle 114. As the ram 112 further engages the refuse, the frontnwheels 14 and 16 will be slightly elevatedoff the ground and the entire'force of compacting the refuse will be transmitted from the ram 114, through the refuse to the bottom of the receptacle Y114, and to'theground support of the receptacle, and thus avoiding the possibility of shearing the bottom of the receptacle 114 from the sidewalls thereof. After the rear portion of the receptacle has been compacted, the cylinder .104 is actuated so as to raise the ram 112 and withdraw thesame from the interior of the receptacle.

The cylinders 58, 68, 7-8 and 98 are again actuated to pivot the several members of the compacting apparatus 46 rearwardly to reposition the ram 112 in a vertical plane at a position spaced forwardly from its first compacting position. After the ram hasbeen repositioned, the cylinder 104 is actuated to impart a downward motion to the ram 112 to compact the refuse therebeneath. The refuse within the receptacle 114 is then compacted at spaced successive forward positions until all the refuse contained within the receptacle has been fully compacted. When the compacting operation is completed, the ram is withdrawn, the front wheels lowered by means of the cylinder 38, and the fork members 116-118 withdrawn from the receptacle side pockets 120. The refuse compacting apparatus 46 may be retracted to a lower mobile position by a proper manipulation of the lower positioning member 50, the mast member 52, the boom member 54, and the ram carrying member 56 to enable the operator to drive the vehicle to the next receptacle to compact the refuse contained therein.

Referring now to FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6 wherein there is illustrated another example of the present invention in the form of a refuse compacting apparatus 200 adapted to be carried by a conventional vehicle such as a truck 201, a portion of which is shown in dash and dot lines. The refuse compacting apparatus 200 comprises a pair of support members 202 and 204 pivotally mounted at the opposite lower sides of the vehicle 201 by connecting pins 206 and upright flanges 208. The flanges 208 are in turn carried by a support beam 210 mounted to the bottom side of the vehicle 201. The support members 202 and 204 are adapted to be rotated about the longitudinal axis of the connecting pins 206 by hydraulically actuated cylinders 212 and 214 to raise and lower a ram carrying section 215 of the apparatus 200. The cylinder ends of cylinders 212 and 214 are pivotally carried by vehicle mounted brackets 216, while the rod ends of the cylinders 212 and 214 are pivotally connected to the underside of the support members 202 and 204, respectively.

The ram carrying section 215 comprises a pair of transversely aligned L-shaped members 217 and 218, each having a lower leg portion 220 and an upper leg portion 222. The ends of the lower leg portions 220 are pivotally connected by connecting pins 224 to the forward ends of the support members 202 and 204, respectively, while the ends of the upper leg portions 222 are connected to one another by a pair of spaced transversely extending support members 226, best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4. A pair of hydraulically actuated cylinders 228 are respectively carried by the support members 202 and 204 and the lower leg portions 220. The mounting of the cylinder-228 is provided by connecting pins 230 and 232 and'flang'es 234 and 236 respectively carried by the support members 202 and 204 and the lower leg portions 220. Actuation of the cylinder 228 from an extended position to' a retracted position causes the ram carrying section 215 to rotate about the longitudinal axes of the connecting pins 224 from an extended position to a retracted'position 229 as illustrated by the phantom lines in FIG. 5. In the retracted position, as shown at 229, the upper leg portions 222 abut a pair of support rods 238 to enable the operator to drive the vehicle 201 with the ram carrying section 215 carried above the vehicle 201 and out of the driving view of the operator.

As canbest be seen in FIGS. 3 and 5, the inner side of each of the lower leg portions 220 carries a fork member 240. The fork members 240 function in a manner similar to the fork 116 and 118 hereinbefore disclosed in FIGS. 1 and 2 in that they are adapted to be received by the receptacle side pockets 254 disposed on the opposite sidewalls of a refuse receptacle 250 (FIG. 5).

The upper leg portions 222 of the ram carrying section 215 each support one end of a pair of parallel horizontal movable ram support members 242', which each in turn pivotally carries a pair of hydraulically actuated cylinders 244 and 245 on which a ram 246 is, in turn, carried. The movable ram support members 242 are selectively positioned at a desired vertical height on the upper leg portions 222 with respect to an opened top portion-248 of the receptacle 250 by a pair of hydraulically actuated cylinders 25], the cylinder ends of which are mounted between the transverse support members 226, and whose rod ends are mounted between the movable ram support members 242.

The cylinders 244 and 245 are freely transversely movable between the transverse support members 226, and have an intermediate portion pivotally mounting the cylinders 244 and 245 to the inner opposing sides of the movable ram support members 242 at pivot points 247, while the cylinder rod ends of cylinders 244 and 245 pivotally support the ram 246 by means of connecting pins 249 and 251. This arrangement of mounting the cylinders 244 and 245 for pivotal movement to both the movable ram support members 242 and the ram 246 permits the refuse engaging face 252 of the ram 246 to remain in the horizontal plane as the pivotal mounting between the cylinders 244 and 245 and the movable ram support 242 and the ram 246 forms a parallelogram, and thus irrespective of the vertical movement of the ram 246, the refuse engaging face 252 of the ram 246 will be maintained in a horizontal plane.

When compacting the refuse within the receptacle 250 is desired, the cylinders 244 and 245 are pressurized to lower the ram into the receptacle 250 to compact the refuse disposed therebelow in the receptacle 250. After the first compacting operation has been completed, the vehicle 201, on which the apparatus The forks 240 are of such a length that they will remain in constant contact with the side flanges 254 of the receptacle 250 as the ram 246 is moved across the width of the receptacle 250. The cylinder 212 is adapted to raise and lower the fork members 240 with respect to the receptacle side flanges 254 such that there is a proper reception of the fork members 240 therewithin and thereby insuring that the force of compacting the refuse is transmitted directly to the ground supporting the receptacle 250 in a manner similar to the operation of the compacting apparatus 46 hereinbefore described.

Certain receptacles are not provided with the lower side pockets 254, but instead are provided with the upper side pockets 256 disposed near the top portion of the receptacle. To accommodate this type of receptacle, adjustable anchor brackets 258 are provided on the upper leg portions 222 (FIG. 3). The anchor brackets 258 include a suitable jack screw mechanism 260 to raise or lower the brackets 258 to register with the upper side pockets of a receptacle and function relative to high positioned pockets in a manner similar to the fork members 240 relative to low positioned pockets.

. In other receptacles, the bottom portion thereof is not supported directly by the ground, but instead is supported by wheels or casters 261 to permit the receptacle to be moved, such as the receptacle 264 illustrated in FIG. 6. When such a receptacle 264 is encountered by the operator of the compacting apparatus 200, the downwardly directed force of the ram 246 would not be transmitted directly from the bottom of the receptacle 264 to the ground 262, and thus may very likely damage the bottom portion of the receptacle 264. In receptacles having a rusted bottom, the downwardly force of the ram 246 may severely damage the receptacle resulting in an unusable receptacle.

In order to eliminate this problem, the compacting apparatus 200 is provided with a lower support mechanism, generally indicated at 270. As can best be seen in FIGS. 3, 4 and 6, the lower support mechanism 270 is normally carried at the front end of the vehicle 201 in a retracted position, as illustrated, when not in use. When use of the lower support mechanism 270 is required, the mechanism is extended prior to the fork members 240 being engaged into the receptacle side pockets 254. An extended support base 271 of the lower support mechanism 270 is adapted to be disposed beneath the receptacle 264 to provide lateral support therefore and alleviate the aforementioned difficulty with such movable receptacles.

The lower support mechanism 270 comprises a pair of lateral L-shaped members 272 and 274 and an intermediate member 276. As can be best seen in FIG. 3, one leg 278 of the intermediate member 276 has a Y- shaped end configuration. The legs 280 of the lateral L- shaped members 272 and 274 are pivotally mounted to the vehicle 201 by brackets 282 and connecting pins 284, while the other leg 286 of the intermediate member 276 is pivotally mounted to the vehicle 201 forward of the legs 280 by bracket 288 and shaft 290. Shaft 290 is drivingly connected to a torque motor 292 which is adapted to selectively rotate shaft 290 in opposite directions. The lateral L-shaped members 272 and 274 are adapted to pivot about the longitudinal axes of the connecting pins 284, while the intermediate member 276 is adapted to be'rotated by shaft 290 about the longitudinal axis of the shaft 290. The axis of shaft 290 is forwardly spaced from and in the same horizontal plane as the connecting pins 284, therefore, while the lateral members 272 and 274 will follow the same rotational path, the intermediate member 276 follows a different rotational path.

The extended support base 271 comprises a pair of upright members 294,-the innermost ends of which are pivotally attached to the ends 296 of the lateral L- shaped members 272 and 274 by means of connecting pins 298. The pair of upright members 294 are also pivotally attached to the ends of the Y-shaped leg 278 by means of shaft 300 which is, in turn, fixed to the ends of the Y-shaped leg 278.

As can be best seen in FIG. 6, when the torque motor 292, mounted on the end of the shaft 290 is activated, the shaft 290 is rotated to cause extension of the sup port base 271, the lateral L-shaped members 272 and 274 rotating about the axes of the connecting pins 284 and the intermediate member 276 rotating about the axis of the shaft 290, the lateral intermediate members following different rotational paths. This difference in the rotational paths of the L-shaped members exerts a twisting moment on the support base 271 and causes the same to extend outwardly between the lateral L- shaped members 272 and 274 to a fully extended position. When the torque motor 292 is reversed to retract the support base 271, the same twisting moment caused by the different rotational paths followed by the members 272 and 274 and the member 276 causes the support base 271 to be withdrawn to its original retracted position between the lateral L-shaped members 272 and 274.

Spray nozzles 302 are fixedly mounted to the movable ram support 242 by any suitable holding means (not shown) and project downwardly therefrom through the ram 246. It should be noted that although the spray nozzles 302 pass through the ram 246, the nozzles are not fixed to the ram. Thus, as the ram 246 moves downwardly, the spray nozzles remain attached to the movable ram support 242 and do not engage the refuse within the receptacle. The nozzles spray the refuse within the receptacle with a selected disinfectant or the like prior to the ram being actuated. Suitable conduits 304 connect the nozzles with a pump and a source of disinfectant (not shown), all of which may be stored in the support beam 210.

It should be noted that the several hydraulically actuated cylinders referred to throughout the description of the two examples of the present invention are representative of any of any suitable means which may be used to actuate the several movable members and the rams, as for example, the movable members and rams may be actuated by a pneumatically operated cylinder or a hydraulically operated rotary motor.

Although only two embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed, it is apparent to those skilled in the art of such refuse compacting apparatus that other forms may be had, all coming within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. A mobile refuse compacting apparatus for compacting refuse disposed in a separate receptacle of the type having an opening at the top portion thereof, said apparatus being adapted to be mounted on a conventional self-propelled vehicle, said mobile refuse compacting apparatus comprising:

a ram; I

means for positioning said ram above said receptacle opening;

means for selectively lowering said ram into said receptacle to engage and compact a portion of said refuse contained therein and for raising said ram;

a pair of connecting arms mounted on opposite sides of said vehicle at one end thereof;

a pair of L-shaped members each having a pair of articulated legs forming one of said L-shaped members, one end of a leg being mounted to one end of each of said connecting arms about a horizontal axis defined by said connecting arms, said L- shaped members being transversely aligned and spaced a distance greater than a distance across said receptacle such that said vehicle may position said L-shaped members on opposite sides of said receptacle, said ram being carried by the upper portions of said other legs of said L-shaped members and disposed in a vertical plane for up and down movement into said receptacle opening.

2. The mobile refuse compacting apparatus defined in claim 1 further comprising a pair of fluid actuated cylinders, one of said cylinders being associated with one connecting arm and its associated L-shaped member, the other cylinder being associated with the other connecting arm and its associated L-shaped member, said cylinders being adapted to pivot said L- shaped members about said horizontal axes from a first position wherein said one leg of said L-shaped members extends outwardly from said one end of said vehicle in a generally horizontal plane and said other legs of said L-shaped members are disposed in a generally vertical plane to a second position wherein said one leg of said L-shaped members extends upwardly of said vehicle in a generally vertical plane and said other legs of said L-shaped members are disposed in a generally horizontal plane.

3. The mobile refuse compacting apparatus defined in claim 2 further comprising a support member connecting the upper portions of said other legs, a fluid actuated cylinder carried by said support member, a second support member slidably carried by said other legs of said L-shaped members and supporting said ram, said second support member being movable up and down with respect to said receptacle and a fluid actuated cylinder carried by said second support member for raising andlowering said ram into said receptacle opening for compacting the refuse therebeneath.

4. The mobile refuse compacting apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein the area of said receptacle opening is greater than the area of said refuse engaging portion of said ram, said vehicle being adapted to position said ram at selected spaced positions across said receptacle openin 5. Tfie mobile refuse compacting apparatus defined in claim 4 further comprising a pair of spaced transversely aligned fork members carried by each of said L- shaped members, said fork members being adapted to engage the opposite sides of said receptacle.

6. The mobile refuse compacting apparatus defined in claim 4 further comprising a pair of vertically adjustable receptacle engaging anchors carried by said L- shaped members and adapted to engage the opposite sides of said receptacle.

7. The mobile refuse compacting apparatus defined in claim 1 further comprising a bottom support base carried by said vehicle, and means for selectively positioning said bottom support base under said receptacle to transfer the downwardly directed force of said ram to the ground supporting said receptacle.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,691,- 967 Dated September 19, 1972 Inventor (s) DONALD METTETAL JR It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 1, line 58, change "or" to nor Column 2, line 39, change "frond" to -ffront Column 6, line 26, change "forks to fork members Signed and sealed this 27th day of March 1973.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents FORM PO-105O (10-69) USCOMM-DC 6O376-P69 U.S. GOVERNMENT PRIN ING OFFICE I959 O366-334 

1. A mobile refuse compacting apparatus for compacting refuse disposed in a separate receptacle of the type having an opening at the top portion thereof, said apparatus being adapted to be mounted on a conventional self-propelled vehicle, said mobile refuse compacting apparatus comprising: a ram; means for positioning said ram above said receptacle opening; means for selectively lowering said ram into said receptacle to engage and compact a portion of said refuse contained therein and for raising said ram; a pair of connecting arms mounted on opposite sides of said vehicle at one end thereof; a pair of L-shaped members each having a pair of articulated legs forming one of said L-shaped members, one end of a leg being mounted to one end of each of said connecting arms about a horizontal axis defined by said connecting arms, said Lshaped members being transversely aligned and spaced a distance greater than a distance across said receptacle such that said vehicle may position said L-shaped members on opposite sides of said receptacle, said ram being carried by the upper portions of said other legs of said L-shaped members and disposed in a vertical plane for up and down movement into said receptacle opening.
 2. The mobile refuse compacting apparatus defined in claim 1 further comprising a pair of fluid actuated cylinders, one of said cylinders being associated with one connecting arm and its associated L-shaped member, the other cylinder being associated with the other connecting arm and its associated L-shaped member, said cylinders being adapted to pivot said L-shaped members about said horizontal axes from a first position wherein said one leg of said L-shaped members extends outwardly from said one end of said vehicle in a generally horizontal plane and said other legs of said L-shaped members are disposed in a generally vertical plane to a second position wherein said one leg of said L-shaped members extends upwardly of said vehicle in a generally vertical plane and said other legs of said L-shaped members are disposed in a generally horizontal plane.
 3. The mobile refuse compacting apparatus defined in claim 2 further comprising a support member connecting the upper portions of said other legs, a fluid actuated cylinder carried by said support member, a second support member slidably carried by said other legs of said L-shaped members and supporting said ram, said second support member being movable up and down with respect to said receptacle and a fluid actuated cylinder carried by said second support member for raising and lowering said ram into said receptacle opening for compacting the refuse therebeneath.
 4. The mobile refuse compacting apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein the area of said receptacle opening is greater than the area of said refuse engaging portion of said ram, said vehicle being adapted to position said raM at selected spaced positions across said receptacle opening.
 5. The mobile refuse compacting apparatus defined in claim 4 further comprising a pair of spaced transversely aligned fork members carried by each of said L-shaped members, said fork members being adapted to engage the opposite sides of said receptacle.
 6. The mobile refuse compacting apparatus defined in claim 4 further comprising a pair of vertically adjustable receptacle engaging anchors carried by said L-shaped members and adapted to engage the opposite sides of said receptacle.
 7. The mobile refuse compacting apparatus defined in claim 1 further comprising a bottom support base carried by said vehicle, and means for selectively positioning said bottom support base under said receptacle to transfer the downwardly directed force of said ram to the ground supporting said receptacle. 